Save The River encourages every angler – from novice to experienced – to take advantage of this opportunity to fish for free this weekend in New York State. Take caution fishing on ice or from shore as any ice may be thin and unstable. It is also important to dress for weather conditions.

Governor Cuomo has designated February 13-14, 2016 as the state’s first free fishing weekend where the requirements for a fishing license has been suspended. Residents and visitors age 16 and older will be able to fish the fresh or marine waters of New York State without a license, providing a great opportunity for people to learn about this popular sport.

Governor Cuomo’s I FISH NY program aims to increase participation and awareness of the outstanding fishing opportunities in New York.

Tony Maas, Principal of Maas Strategies and nationally recognized water policy expert in Canada, provided an informative update on Canadian environmental policy and Ontario’s Great Lakes Protection Act at our Winter Environmental Conference last Saturday.

Tony currently splits his time between is role as Strategy Manager with Freshwater Future, where his work focuses on bi-national efforts to address algae blooms in Lake Erie, and his independent consultancy, through which he works with not-for-profits, philanthropic foundations and research institutes on strategy, program development and public policy issues.

“The upper St. Lawrence River’s largest environmental group holds its annual winter conference this weekend.

North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik will be one of the speakers at Save The River’s conference this Saturday at the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel in Clayton.”

Tony Maas, Principal of Maas Strategies, is a nationally recognized water policy expert in Canada. He will be providing an update on Canadian environmental policy and Ontario’s Great Lakes Protection Act.

With the potential for New York State voters to vote for a constitutional convention in 2017, van Rossum will speak about the need for constitutional guarantees for clean water and air in the New York State constitution.

“Speakers will also tackle topics that kept Save The River busy in 2015, including passing a new, more environmentally-friendly water levels management plan for the river, and opposing Montreal’s dumping of raw sewage into the river last fall.”

Finalized and referred to the U.S. and Canadian governments in June 2014, Plan 2014 still awaits final approval!

It is time for leadership and action. Tell Ottawa and Washington it’s time.

Voice your support for Plan 2014 for a healthy future for the River. Write, print and send a letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs Stephane Dion and Secretary of State John Kerry today.

Take Action:Step 1: Download this template letter. Print, sign and add your address to the bottom. Or copy and paste the text into a new document to customize with your personal story.Step 2: Mail your letter(s) to:

The Honorable Stephane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Office of the Prime Minister, 80 Wellington Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2. You can also email him through the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Honorable John F. Kerry, Secretary of State, US Department of State, 2201 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20520. You can also tweet him @John Kerry

Step 3: Tell us how you took action on Facebook and Twitter, and share this link with your friends so they can support Plan 2014 too!

For over 50 years, the levels of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River have been regulated by the Moses Saunders Dam, whose operating plan was developed with pre-computer technology. Plan 2014 uses modern simulations to adjust the dam’s operating plan to work with nature. If adopted, the new plan will restore 64,000 acres of wetlands, boost hydropower production and increase the resilience of hundreds of miles of shoreline in the U.S. and Canada.

Plan 2014 is also a net economic winner, providing millions annually in increased economic benefits for the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River region as well as increased hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities worth as much as $9.1 million annually to New York’s economy.For more information visit: http://www.savetheriver.org/index.cfm?page=app.programsLevels.

Sample Letter

Re: Lake Ontario St. Lawrence River Plan 2014

Dear___________,

I write to express strong support for Lake Ontario St. Lawrence River Plan 2014, which was developed with input from hundreds of experts and thousands of citizens. I support Plan 2014 because of its ability to restore and protect one of the US and Canada’s most precious freshwater resources – Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

Plan 2014 is a once-in-a-generation chance to restore a critical freshwater resource. Plan 2014 will help protect against extreme water levels, restore tens of thousands of acres of wetlands, boost hydropower production and increase the resilience of hundreds of miles of shoreline in the U.S. and Canada.

Thriving wetland habitats support highly valued recreational opportunities, filter polluted run­off, and provide nurseries for fisheries and wildlife. Ecosystem health was not considered in the 1950s when decisions were made to artificially compress the natural variability of levels of Lake Ontario. Wetland habitats and key species of fish, birds and mammals have suffered. Plan 2014 will begin to reverse that damage.

We urge approval of Plan 2014 – as it was referred by the IJC – as soon as possible. If such an opportunity is lost due to delayed implementation of Plan 2014, the next opportunity may not arise for decades.

Sincerely,

Thank you for your support!

Please contact our office at 315-686-2010 or info@savetheriver.org if you have any questions.